Recently, I was called a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids). Usually stereotypes throw me for a loop and I immediately reject them. However, I tried this one on for size, played around in it for a little while and decided that, hey, this DINK thing? I think I kind of like it. Maybe even love it. Now, just to give you some perspective, normally I hate labels like this. I once had an hour long gmail chat fight with an ex because he had the audacity to call me a yuppie (although in retrospect, online chatting with an ex was probably the actual source of the problem there...). Anyways, back to yuppie. I hated it.
Hated it. I was steaming mad the rest of the week. Even now, years later, it still gets under my skins and starts rubbing me the wrong way. More importantly, to this day I will maintain, ardently, that a yuppie, I am not.
DINK on the other hand? I am owning that acronym. Makes complete sense, right?
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For you visual learners... this is a DINK family
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When you think about the definitions, there really isn't too much of a difference between a YUP (Young Urban Professional, aka yuppie) and a DINK (again, Dual Income, No Kids). Let's urban dictionary this thing. As a disclaimer, these are not urban dictionary approved definitions. These definitions came solely from the random, odd depths of my mind.
Yuppie: An entitled, too-big-for-their-britches young adult, around 25-30, give or take a few years. Think, trust fund, silver-spoon fed accountant that never really had to struggle, or take out a college loan. Their lavish attitudes come from a lack of appreciation for having expendable funds.
DINK: A young adult, around 25-30, give or take a few years. They worked hard to get ahead. They appreciate the money they have earned and are not completely frivolous. While they are certainly stocking away for retirement in 40 years, they are also making sure to enjoy themselves with a little pampering, in the form of clothes, shoes, vacations and Crate & Barrel purchases.
Honestly, what it boils down to is this: when it comes to a DINK, I feel like there is an inherent sense of working for what you have received. Yes, I have a good income, as does my husband, and for the moment, we are sans children. That is nothing that I have to apologies for. Furthermore, I will buy my
coffee bars and rent my
four bedroom house and occasionally buy a pair of shoes that I probably shouldn't, and I will love my life. I have earned it. And damn it, for the last time
I AM NOT A YUPPIE.
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This photo just seemed so right
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In all reality, in my heart of hearts, I guess I realize that there isn't too much of a difference between a yuppie and a DINK. But in my brain, the one that grow up in Mesa, Arizona all those years ago and has formed weird aversions to certain words, including yuppie, poncho and polar vortex, I am not a yuppie. And so help me God, if you call me one, well, you and I can no longer be friends (just ask the ex).
Are you a DINK or a yuppie? Or do you feel ok with either stereotype? Or would you bash someone's head in (verbally, of course, never physically, oh no) regardless of which one they called you?
I don’t have any strong feelings about the connotations associated with either term, but they don’t seem to me to be that different- except for the fact that you’d have to be married (or in a pretty committed relationship, at a minimum) to be considered a DINK. Choosing between the two though, I’d much rather be referred to as a “yuppie” because being called a “DINK” just sounds kind of awful. And also, I’ve always thought yuppie stood for young, upwardly mobile professional, which, to me, implies that it refers to someone moving up the career ladder, rather than someone born into money.
ReplyDeleteThis is by far the longest reply I’ve ever posted on your blog, or probably anyone else’s blog too :)
Haha - I think that is part of the reason that I like DINK. It sounds funny and makes people do a double take if they haven't heard the term before. I don't know why I have such a strong, bias dislike towards the term yuppie. It's not logical, but it's definitely there. Sort of like my fear of moths... not logical but most certainly real.
DeleteI liked the long reply!!! Makes me feel special :)